What's Wrong with the 3rd Generation (2013–2019) Escape?

Escape owners have made 968 complaints about the 2013–2019 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 88th out of 94 Ford generations in overall reliability, with real engine and transmission concerns.

Compare With Other Escape Generations

Common 2013-2019 Ford Escape Problems

Some of the worst issues 3rd generation Escape owners have to deal with.

  2. Swollen and Stuck Lug Nuts

    Most lug nuts are one piece of hardened steel, but Ford chose a design that puts an aluminum cap over a steel core. The cap is notorious for swelling and delaminating when it gets hot, and it’s also a great place to trap moisture and promot…

    Continue reading article "Swollen and Stuck Lug Nuts"

  3. Power Steering (EPAS) Failure

    Power steering is one of those things you don't think about until it's gone. And owners of Ford cars with electronic power assisted steering (EPAS) are thinking about it all the damn time, if you catch my drift.

    Continue reading article "Power Steering (EPAS) Failure"

  4. MyFord Touch Complaints

    Ford's customer satisfaction has been in steady decline since 2010. MyFord Touch was also released in 2010. This is not a coincidence. The system was Ford's attempt at an all-in-one, in-dash communication and entertainment system. What owne…

    Continue reading article "MyFord Touch Complaints"

What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

3rd Generation (2013–2019) Escape Key Numbers

  1. 7 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 968 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 88th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 94 eligible generations.

Recent Lawsuits for 3rd Generation Escape Owners

Recent 3rd Generation (2013–2019) Escape News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. Ford has once again expanded a door handle recall, this time affecting 2.3 million vehicles.

    It's likely NHTSA asked Ford to expand the recall because all affected vehicles weren't included in the August recall. That recall was for only certain areas of the country which Ford said had higher ambient temperatures. Vehicles outside those specific areas weren't included in the recall, but Ford said they could be included in a "customer satisfaction program.

    So much for the "solar loading" defense.

    keep reading article "Goodbye Regional, Hello Nationwide Recall of Ford Door Handles"

  2. The 2017 Escape has barely even rolled off dealer lots.

    Well, you better roll it back because the popular CUV has been recalled with windows that close with too much gusto. The automaker provided very limited information but did say the power window system can exceed the "regulatory requirement for remote actuation closing force."

    That's a really fancy way of saying the windows slam. Ford hasn't announced when the recall will begin.

    keep reading article "The 2017 Escape's Windows Close with Too Much Force"

  3. **Fo

    d's pawl spring issues have had their doors blown wide open. Yes, I went there. Ford says a recall of 830,000 vehicles in North America is needed to fix doors that may open while driving, but only if those vehicles are in certain areas.

    This comes after the feds opened an investigation into 400,000 Focus cars experiencing similar problems to a door latch recall from last year.…

    keep reading article "Regional Recall For Another 830,000 Vehicles with Busted Pawl Springs"

  5. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has closed their investigation into electronic throttle body (ETB) problems in Ford vehicles after Ford agreed to fix 1.6 million of their cars and SUVs.

    Just don't call it a recall. Oh no, Ford has spun this one into a "customer satisfaction program." The program extends the warranty on the ETB for up to 10 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle and encourages owners to visit a Ford dealer to have their vehicle's software updated.…

    keep reading article "Ford Agrees to Fix 1.6 Million Vehicles That 'Limp Home'"

  6. First, Ford said to stop driving your Escape until it could get repaired. Now they're saying that "repair" probably didn't work.

    Ford is recalling 9,500 Escapes because a previous recall might not have fixed the problem. The affected vehicles were manufactured from October 5, 2011, through July 11, 2012. Ford says the engine compartment fuel line may have been installed incorrectly when repaired under the prior recall. The placement of the fuel line could cause irritation to the line and cause it to leak.

    All affected vehicles, repaired or otherwise, need to be inspected.

    keep reading article "Chestnuts Still Roasting on an EcoBoost Fire"